Mobile client computer interacting with docking device

ABSTRACT

A computer, and particularly a mobile client computer system, in which flexibility in use of the system is enhanced by a capability of receiving and dynamically recognizing a variety of what are here called docking options. Docking options are peripheral devices, such as radio transceivers, which can be selectively connected to and used with a mobile client system. A docked option is identified by an exchange of signals between the system and the option, accomplished through a plurality of input/output ports which together define an interface to the option.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is one of a series of related applications assigned tocommon ownership. Other applications in the series include:

application Ser. No. 08/781,004 filed Jan. 9, 1997, entitled "MobileClient Computer with Keyboard Interface" with named inventors T. Aebli,B. Miller and W. W. Vetter;

application Ser. No. 08/703,171 filed Aug. 22, 1996, entitled "MobileClient Computer Programmed to Predict Input" with named inventors R. L.Bertram, D. F. Champion and P. Brittenham;

application Ser. No. 08/708,168 filed Aug. 22, 1996, entitled "MobileClient Computer Programmed to Exchange Lists of Predicted Input" withnamed inventors R. L. Bertram and W. T. Oldfield;

application Ser. No. 08/706,990 filed Aug. 22, 1996, entitled "MobileClient Computer Programmed to Copy Lists of Predicted Input" with namedinventors R. L. Bertram, P. J. Brittenham and D. F. Champion;

application Ser. No. 08/963,475 filed Nov. 3, 1997, entitled "MobileClient Computer with Battery Charging Control" with named inventors C.Burroughs, B. A. Carpenter, G. O'Neil and R. A. Resnick;

application Ser. No. 08/813,148 filed Mar. 7, 1997, entitled MobileClient Computer Programmed for Systems Message Display" with namedinventors R. L. Bertram and D. F. Champion;

application Ser. No. 08/960,914 filed Oct. 30, 1997, entitled "MobileClient Computer Programmed with Browser Function" with named inventorsR. L. Bertram and D. F. Champion;

application Ser. No. 08/813,522 filed May 7, 1997, entitled "MobileClient Computer Programmed to Process Table Displays" with namedinventor R. L. Bertram;

application Ser. No. 08/807,969 filed Mar. 3, 1997, entitled "MobileClient Computer Programmed to Combine Cursor, Control and InputFunctions" with named inventors P. J. Brittenham and L. D. Comerford;

application Ser. No. 08/813,527 filed Mar. 7, 1997, entitled "MobileClient Computer Programmed to Display Drop Down Scrolling Indicator"with named inventors R. L. Bertram and D. F. Champion;

application Ser. No. 08/813,521 filed Mar. 7, 1997, entitled "MobileClient Computer Programmed to Hide Empty Table Elements" with namedinventor R. L. Bertram;

application Ser. No. 08/959,997 filed Oct. 29, 1997, entitled "MobileClient Computer with Integrated Cellular Telephone" with named inventorsB. A. Carpenter, P. Lee, M. Noll and R. Reiland;

application Ser. No. 08/700,608 filed Aug. 12, 1996, entitled "MobileClient Computer Programmed to Display Hexagonal Keyboard" with namedinventors R. L. Bertram, D. F. Champion and L. S. Eichorn;

application Ser. No. 08/700,606 filed Aug. 12, 1996, entitled "MobileClient Computer Programmed to Establish Soft Keyboard Targeting" withnamed inventor R. L. Bertram; and

application Ser. No. 08/706,991 filed Aug. 22, 1996, entitled "MobileClient Computer Programmed to Display Lists and Hexagonal Keyboard" withnamed inventors R. L. Bertram and D. F. Champion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Personal computer systems in general and IBM personal computers inparticular have attained widespread use for providing computer power tomany segments of today's modern society. Personal computer systems canusually be defined as a desk top, floor standing, or portablemicrocomputer that consists of a system unit having a single systemprocessor and associated volatile and non-volatile memory, a displaymonitor, a keyboard, one or more diskette drives, a fixed disk storage,and an optional printer. One of the distinguishing characteristics ofthese systems is the use of a motherboard or system planar toelectrically connect these components together. These systems aredesigned primarily to give independent computing power to a single userand are inexpensively priced for purchase by individuals or smallbusinesses. Examples of such personal computer systems are the personalcomputer systems offered by IBM and identified as the PERSONAL COMPUTERAT, PERSONAL SYSTEM/2, PS/1, Aptiva, and the like. Persons of skill inthe computer arts will be familiar with these systems.

These systems can be classified into two general families. The firstfamily, usually referred to as Family I Models, use a bus architectureexemplified by the IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER AT and other "IBM compatible"machines. The second family, referred to as Family II Models, use IBM'sMICRO CHANNEL bus architecture exemplified by IBM's PERSONAL SYSTEM/2Models 50 through 95. The Family I models originally used the popularINTEL 8088 or 8086 microprocessor as the system processor. Theseprocessors have the ability to address one megabyte of memory. TheFamily II models typically used the high speed INTEL 80286, 80386, and80486 microprocessors which can operate in a real mode to emulate theslower speed INTEL 8086 microprocessor or a protected mode which extendsthe addressing range from 1 megabyte to 4 Gigabytes for some models. Inessence, the real mode feature of the 80286, 80386, and 80486 processorsprovide hardware compatibility with software written for the 8086 and8088 microprocessors. As the state of the art has progressed, Family Isystems have developed toward ever higher capability central processorunits, including the Intel PENTIUM brand microprocessor and itscompetitors, Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) microprocessorssuch as the IBM and Motorola Power PC processors, and higher capabilitybus designs such as VESA and PCI bus designs. Again, persons of skill inthe computer arts will be familiar with these systems.

The impact of such development on the manner in which computing is donein business and consumer environments has been profound. Prior to thedevelopment of personal computer systems, most use of computers was forbusiness purposes only and data processing was done in the "glass house"which housed the computer system. Inquires were channeled throughinformation managers for handling by computer technicians. With the widespread use of personal computer systems access to data once maintainedon an enterprise wide computer system became important to managers andultimately line employees. Networks of personal computer systems grewup, with layered access through network servers to the enterprisesystems or mainframes on which enterprise data is stored.

As information work has spread to an increasing number of informationworkers and impacted the work of more wide spread groups of employeeswithin an enterprise, need for mobility of such employees has arisen.Particularly in such "outside" jobs as route salesperson, transportdriver, or business consultant, it has become important to have access,while remote from an enterprise site, to enterprise data normallymaintained on an enterprise system and accessed through a network ofcomputer systems. Such access has been achieved, in part, through theuse of wireline connected personal computer systems such as notebook orlaptop computer systems. Typically, such a system may be equipped with amodem and communications software such that, when connected to a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), the system may be connected with asupporting server or mainframe and a user may gain access to desireddata.

With the development of radio communications such as exemplified by thecellular telephone networks, the possibility arose of eliminating thewireline connection between a personal computer system and a supportingserver. Such systems have been developed, particularly for systems usedin retail and warehousing businesses, which permit a user to move freelywithin an area which has radio transceiver service while remaining inintermittent or continuous contact with a data channel through whichdata may be exchanged with a server or mainframe supporting anenterprise activity. For purposes of discussion here, such systems inthe hands of user will be referred to as "mobile client systems". Amobile client system is distinguished by the mobility of the user, whois free of the restraints against movement imposed by a wirelineconnection, and by the client nature of the system in that enterprisedata accessed by the mobile client system is maintained on a server ormainframe computer system with which the mobile client is incommunication. Such mobile client systems are also sometimes referred toas personal communications assistants or personal digital assistants.The interested reader is referred to "Wireless: The Revolution inPersonal Telecommunications" by Ira Brodsky (Artech House, Boston, 1995)for additional background and information about mobile client systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the foregoing as background, the present invention contemplates amobile client system in which flexibility in use of the system isenhanced by a capability of receiving and dynamically recognizing avariety of what are here called docking options. Docking options areperipheral devices, such as radio transceivers, which can be selectivelyconnected to and used with a mobile client system.

In realizing this purpose of the present invention, provision is madefor identifying a docked option by an exchange of signals between thesystem and the option.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the purposes of the invention having been stated, others willappear as the following description proceeds, when taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of certain elements of a mobileclient computer system in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mobile client system of FIG. 1 asassembled for use;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing an alternate form oforganization for the mobile client system of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of relationships among a mobileclient system as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 and supporting peripheralsand systems;

FIG. 5 is a schematic showing of certain circuitry elements embodied inthe mobile client of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing alternate circuitry elements;

FIG. 7 is a schematic showing of certain circuitry elements and theirrelationships in the mobile client of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 8 is a state diagram of power modes for the mobile client of FIGS.2 and 3 and transitions among them;

FIG. 9 is a diagram similar to that of FIG. 8 showing the states ofcertain elements of the mobile client of FIGS. 2 and 3 and including thestatus of software executing on the mobile client;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the display screen of the mobile client ofFIGS. 2 and 3 while driven by the execution of an application program onthe mobile client to display certain data;

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of the relationships between amobile client system in accordance with this invention and what is herecharacterized as a simple docking station; and

FIG. 12 is an illustration similar to FIG. 11 showing the more complexrelationships between a mobile client system and an identifiable dockingstation or option.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

While the present invention will be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferredembodiments of the present invention are shown, it is to be understoodat the outset of the description which follows that persons of skill inthe appropriate arts may modify the invention here described while stillachieving the favorable results of this invention. Accordingly, thedescription which follows is to be understood as being a broad, teachingdisclosure directed to persons of skill in the appropriate arts, and notas limiting upon the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying Figures, FIGS. 1through 3 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a mobile client personalcomputer system (herein also called a "mobile client") in accordancewith this invention and indicated generally at 10. As will become moreclear from the description which follows, the mobile client may have avariety of characteristics while remaining within the contemplation ofthis invention. Central among those characteristics is that the systemhave provision for the capability of communicating at least data,possibly both data and audio such as voice, between the mobile clientsystem and supporting servers and mainframes. In the illustratedembodiment, such capability is provided by providing a system which isseparable into three distinct components, namely a system tablet 11, aholster 12 and a radio transceiver 13. In the form illustrated, thetransceiver 13 is a cellular telephone which may be mounted within theholster 12, while the holster 12 may be connected with the system tablet11 by slipping the tablet into a receptacle provided in the holster 12.The system tablet may optionally have an integrated keyboard. While thusillustrated and here described as a three component system, it will beunderstood that many of the advantages of this invention as describedhereinafter can be realized where the mobile client system 10 isunified. That is, where the radio transceiver 13 is integrated with thesystem tablet 11 and the connection therebetween is accomplished withina single cover for the system, apart from any use of a holster 12. Thetransceiver/holster/tablet organization provides certain advantages insome circumstances. However, it is to be understood that the inventioncan be practiced apart from this particular organization.

The distinctions between the systems of FIGS. 2 and 3 lies in the directinclusion, in the system of FIG. 3, of a keypad apart from touchscreenimplementation of entry fields.

An advantage realizable with the tripartite organization is the readysubstitution of one radio transceiver for another. More particularly,while digital data and analog audio can be exchanged over a cellulartelephone radio interface, with data using cellular digital packet data(CDPD) protocols, there are other possibilities. Among them can bedigital radio techniques such as frequency division multiple access(FDMA) and time division multiple access (TDMA); spread spectrumtechnologies such as direct sequence spread spectrum (DS-SS) andresultant code division multiple access (CDMA); frequency hopping spreadspectrum (FH-SS); and the combination of one of more of thesetechnologies into what are known as advanced mobile phone systems (AMPS)or advanced radio data information service (ARDIS) or RAM Mobile Data.As these technologies evolve and gain wider acceptance, the tripartiteorganization will facilitate adapting existing tablets 11 to emergingradio transceivers 13, and thereby protect the investment of users insystems. However, for certain environments such as adverse ambientconditions of temperature, humidity, or exposure to shock as bydropping, a unified system with transceiver and tablet and supportingcircuitry in a single cover may be a preferred choice.

Turning now to FIG. 3, what is there schematically indicated is therelationships among a system 10 in accordance with the invention andsupporting servers and peripherals. More particularly, while the tablet11 (as described more fully hereinafter) is normally adapted for inputby a user through a touchscreen 15 embodied in a backlit liquid crystaldisplay, the system 10 can accommodate other users input devicesincluding a more conventional keyboard 16 and a bar code scanner 17. Theuser input device may be, as illustrated, wire tethered to the system 10when desired for use, with the tethering conductors 18 providing signalpathways for data input to reach the system 10. Alternatively, thedevice may be linked for data transfer by other means known to personsof skill in the art, such as by an infrared link using a known protocol.In the drawing, the system is shown linked to a printer 19 by an IrDAlink for data transfer by infrared radiation.

As indicated above, the radio transceiver provides a radio frequencylink to a server indicated at 20, which may communicate by wireline withsupporting mainframe data storage 21. Data relevant to the operation ofthe entire enterprise will be maintained on the supporting mainframe,and made available to the mobile client 10 in accordance with this andthe above identified related inventions.

Turning now to the circuitry elements which together accomplish theprocessing of data in accordance with this invention, FIGS. 5 and 6illustrate forms of organization of such elements.

As shown in FIG. 5, which is somewhat simplified for purposes ofillustration, the circuitry elements will include a central processingunit (CPU) and an associated input/output controller (IOC). Theinput/output controller is a programmable microcontroller which may bepartitioned as a portion of the central processing unit, as is known topersons skilled in the design and fabrication of microprocessors. In theaccompanying drawings, the IOC is sometimes identified as a peripheralmicrocontroller or by the acronym CPM. Certain of the elements provided,such as a memory controller, memory, a PCMCIA controller and associatedcard (if present) will be operatively coupled to the CPU and accessibleto both the CPU and IOC. Others of the provided elements, such as thetouchpanel control, user input devices, serial and audio ports and thetransceiver interface, will be operatively coupled to the IOC and gainaccess to the CPU through the IOC.

As shown in FIG. 6, the illustrated mobile client system 10 has at itscore a central processing unit (CPU) in the form of a microprocessor(indicated at 30) which uses reduced instruction set computing (RISC)characteristics. The CPU or processor has elements which include acontroller 31 for a liquid crystal display; a controller 32 forperipherals of the type known as PCCards or PCMCIA cards;instruction/data cache 33; an interface to memory and an external bus34; and a real time clock 35. The microprocessor also has an interruptcontroller 36 and an input/output controller core 37 which definesinterfaces for a variety of services. While here disclosed as a singleprocessor chip having these characteristics, it is known from themanufacture and use of prior art computer systems that suchcomputational capability and interface availability can be reached byother means, such as the use of an Intel X86 based processor surroundedby appropriate support logic or chips. Thus while the embodiment of FIG.6 is offered as exemplary of a system in accordance with this invention,it is known that the core functionality of such a mobile client systemcan be otherwise configured. Similarly, while here described withreference to a handheld mobile client system, the functionality heredescribed is attainable in other more conventional systems such as adesktop or notebook system.

As indicated in FIG. 6, the core microprocessor 30 is supported byperipherals. Most importantly, power for operating of the system issupplied from a battery 40. Preferably, the battery 40 is of the typeknown as a "smart" battery, in which provision is made for selfmonitoring by the battery of charge state and recharge progress. Suchbatteries are known and will provide signals to the mobile client systemprocessor 30 which can be used to generate indications to a user of thebattery charge state, readiness for re-use after charging, etc. Themobile client also preferably has a conventional modem 41, for use whenconnected by wireline, and a telephone interconnection point 42(indicated as an RJ-11 connector). Memory for the system is provided bya flash memory accessory card 44.; by dynamic random access memory(DRAM) 45; and by core flash memory 46. Preferably, a pair of PCMCIAslots, of type 11, are provided as shown at 48 and 49 for the additionof other functionality.

In order to display the result of data handling operations performed bythe mobile client system, the system 10 has an LCD 15 as mentionedabove. The LCD is overlain by a suitable touchscreen 50 which functionsas a digitizer to recognize when input is made by a user. There will befurther discussion of this functionality later in this description.Input from the touchscreen, as from the battery and a temperaturesensor, passes through an analog/digital converter 51 to an input/output(I/O) port of the processor 30. Other I/O ports of the processor 30provide for connection to a keyboard as described above; an IrDA port52, an audio CODEC 54 and associated speaker 55 and microphone 56; andan interface connector 58 for the radio transceiver 13.

As was pointed out hereinabove, it is to be understood that the specificorganization of functions here described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6may be varied due to a designers choice of functions to be supported,processor core, and support logic.

As mentioned above, the mobile client system 10 obtains power from abattery. While such operation is appropriate for mobility, provision ismade for support of the system 10 by connection to more conventionalpower sources in the form of alternating current electrical mains. Suchpower sources are identified at 60 in FIG. 7, to which reference is hadin the following description of power management relationships. As willbe understood, the management of power usage by a mobile client systemis significant with regard to usability of the system.

FIG. 7 illustrates the organization of peripherals around the processor30 from the perspective of power sources and consumption. The powermanagement topology is such that power flows to the processor 30 in thetablet 11 (see also FIG. 3) from the main battery 40, while separateflows of power and control impact the holster 12, any radio transceiver13 mounted in the holster, and any PCCard accessories used by thesystem. This division of power flows is of significance to the mobileclient system 10 here described. More particularly, a separate battery61 is provided in the holster 12. The holster battery 61 preferably is a"smart" battery, and has associated therewith in the holster 12 abattery controller 62, a holster peripheral controller 63, andassociated circuitry 64 effective to interface the data streams flowingto and from the processor 30 with the radio transceiver 13. Thus, whilecircuitry in the holster 12 and transceiver 13 is under the control ofthe processor 30 (as will be pointed out more fully hereinafter), thepower source is at least somewhat independent of the tablet 11. This isa significant division. When the tablet is engaged with a holster, thecircuitry in the two components cooperates in management of the whole.When a transceiver 13 (which, if a conventional cellular telephone, mayhave its own power source and power management techniques) is positionedin the holster 12, then the transceiver 13 may also have a coordinatedrole in participating in power management for the tripartite system.

Turning more particularly to the tablet 11, that system will havecontroller circuitry 66 for the battery 40 and a power supply 68 towhich the battery 40 supplies power for operation of the tablet 11. Inthe present system, provision is made for a separate microcontroller 69to exercise control over the power supply in order to off-load certainrequirements from the core processor 30. The microcontroller receivesinput from the processor 30 and from a converter 70. The processor 30and converter 70 are supported, for minimal functions, by a battery 71for the real time clock 35. The RTC battery 71 assures that the tabletsystem will wake up when called as described more fully hereinafter.

Turning now from the hardware topology to a discussion of the powermodes and transition events for the mobile client system 10, FIG. 8 isone illustration of such modalities. For purposes of the followingdescription, it should be noted that a user of the mobile client systemwill be provided with indicators for the levels of activity of thesystem. Typically, such indicators or annunciators will be in the formof light emitting diodes (LEDs), as such devices are readily available,inexpensive, and known to most users of technical devices. Thetripartite system may be provided with an indicator for the tablet 11,and indicator for the holster 12, and an indicator for the transceiver13. In FIG. 8, distinctions are drawn between states of activity whichreflect differing levels of activity between the tablet 11 and holster12, and an assumption is made that the system illustrated is atripartite system with tablet and holster joined.

With this background in mind, the fully active state of the system willhave both the tablet 11 (see also FIG. 6) and the holster 12 fullyactivated as indicated by illumination of the corresponding LEDs and thebacklit LCD 15. That state is indicated at 75. The completely oppositestate, with all components powered down (as if when all batteries havebeen removed), is indicated at 76, and would result in all LEDs and thebacklit LCD being unilluminated. From the state of being fully active, auser may elect to turn off the holster 12, either by operating a switchprovided for that purpose or by interrupting a necessary interconnectionthrough separating the holster from the tablet or the radio transceiverfrom the holster. In such an event, the tablet LED and LCD may remainilluminated (as the tablet remains active) while the holster LED becomesunilluminated (indicated at 78). The mobile client may be capable ofdata processing using data stored in memory, yet be disconnected(intermittently or temporarily) from the supporting servers 20 and datastorage 21. Upon an occurrence determined by software executing on themobile client system, the system may enter a state known as suspend. Inthe suspend state, indicated at 79, the tablet LED and LCD and theholster LED are dark. Should it be appropriate for the radio transceiverto be used while the remainder of the tripartite system remains insuspend state, then the system can enter a state indicated at 80 inwhich the holster LED is illuminated and the transceiver functional.Similarly, upon an occurrence determined once again by softwareexecuting on the mobile client system, the system may enter a stateknown as standby, indicated at 81. In standby, the tablet LCD will bedarkened to save power, while the tablet LED will remain illuminated toindicate that the system can be "awakened" readily. The holster may beeither powered down (with LED dark) or remain active. A timer functionis provided which, after passage of a predetermined time interval withthe system 10 in Standby, will transition the system to Suspend mode.

The system can transition between Off state 76 and Active states 78 or75 by use of an on/off switch. The system can transition from anySuspend or Standby state to Off state 76 by use of the on/off switch orbattery removal. The system can transition from Suspend states 79 or 80to Active states 78 or 75 in response to a suspend/resume input from auser, an incoming call indication from the radio transceiver connectedwith the holster, time out of a timed interval, or a battery low chargeindication from the smart battery controllers. The system can transitionfrom Standby states to Active states 78 or 75 in response to user eventssuch as an input by way of a user input device including the touchscreenor keyboard.

Another view of the power modes and transition events is given in FIG.9. There, the system states are represented as being an On state 75;Idle state 83; Standby state 82; Suspend state 80; and Off state 76. Inthe On State 75, the system LEDs and LCD are illuminated, the processor30 (see also FIGS. 6 and 7) is operating in normal high function mode,application programs are active, and other peripherals are power managedas needed. Passage of time with inactivity will result in the systementering the Idle state 83, in which execution of application programsby the processor has ended, the processor enters a "doze high" mode ofpower management, the LCD is illuminated, and other peripherals arepower managed as needed. Any user event will return the system to the Onstate. Should the passage of time cause the system to enter the Standbystate 82, then application programs become static, the processor entersa "doze low" mode of power management, the LCD is dark, and all otherperipherals are power managed as needed. Should the passage of timecause the system to enter the Suspend state 80, application programsbecome static and are checkpointed for resumption, the processor entersa "sleep" mode of power management, the LCD is darkened, and all otherperipherals are off. Thus in terms of time intervals for turnaround tofully active state 75, the system will return most quickly from Idlestate 83, less quickly from Standby state 82, less quickly from Suspendstate 80, and most slowly from Off state 76.

It is now believed instructive to address briefly the display andcommunication of data as contemplated for the mobile client system ofthis invention. Referring now more particularly to FIG. 10, there isshown there an exemplary representation of a display screen for anapplication program executed on the system 10. Preferably, the system 10executes an application program in the nature of a browser program asused for connection by HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and for filesin HyperText Markup Language (HTML). HTTP and HTML have come into wideuse in the environment known as the internet or world wide web. Thesetechnologies are here used to facilitate operation of the mobile clientsystem with minimal resources in the client and maximum use of resourcesavailable through the supporting server and mainframe data storage.

More particularly, the processor 30 of the client system executes anoperating system program and a browser program stored in the systemflash memory 46. In executing these programs, the system exchanges datawith a supporting server by passing data through the radio link providedby the transceiver 13 and interface 58 or the modem 41 if then wireconnected. Data so exchanged may be stored for manipulation by theoperating system and browser in the system DRAM memory 45. The browser,in conjunction with the data obtained from the supporting server, willdisplay on the LCD 15 a screen which may, for example, appear as shownin FIG. 10. The screen there shown has a title bar 90 across the upperlimit of the displayed field and, within the displayed field, a formhaving defined fields for data such as identifying numerals or names. Inthe specific form illustrated, the fields include a field for a centernumber, a hospital number, dates of birth and admission of theidentified patient, and the like. Adjacent the title bar 90 is arepresentation of an animal, shown at 91 and here illustrated as akangaroo. This representation is used, in accordance with certainimplementations of this invention, to indicate that the system is"jumping" from one data access to another and that a user should awaitcompletion of the "jump". There are also provided, immediately below thetitle bar 90, indications of function "buttons" such as return to themain (or initial) screen, go back one screen, exchange data by wirelesslink, battery charge state, and navigation about the screen presented.Certain fields, such as the Date of Admission to the ICU and the Classfields, may be annotated by a user, and are so indicated by thepositioning adjacent those fields of a "notebook" icon. The notebook maybe either closed (as adjacent the Date of Admission field) suggestingthat it presently lacks any annotation, or opened (as adjacent the Classfield) suggesting that it presently contains an annotation.

Inasmuch as the mobile client system 10 has a touchscreen 50 whichoverlies the LCD 15, input of data into the system can be accomplishedby a stylus, pointer or finger applied to fields of the touchscreen.Thus, referring to FIG. 10, should a user desire to input informationidentifying the gender of a particular patient, the user could touch(with stylus, pointer or finger) the buttons "male" or "female" to enterthat data. Similarly, should a user wish to enter an annotation, theuser could touch the field defined by the notebook icon to change theicon between the closed and open states and thereby open a field forentry of appropriate numerical or alphabetic data.

Other and further functions of the applications program and the screendisplay will become more clear from discussion which follows or appearsin the above identified related applications.

In accordance with the present invention, four signals are provided fora docking interface. The four signals preferably comprise three dockingconnector identifier signals and one interrupt signal. Lines for passingthe signals are indicated in FIGS. 11 and 12 at 100, 101, 102, and 103.The ID signals are connected to general purpose input/output ports(GPIOs) on the system processor 30 and are normally configured as inputsto the processor. The interrupt signal passed on line 100 is connectedto a GPIO with interrupt capabilities and configured as an interrupt.

When a docking unit or option is attached to the mobile client system,the interrupt signal is pulled low by a pull down resistor or groundconnection in the docking station or option as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.Upon sensing this interrupt, a control program in the system reads thethree identifier bits. If the most significant ID bit is read as a "O",the software recognizes that the docking unit or option attached isintelligent and requires its ID data to be shifted in from a shiftregister (indicated at 105 in FIG. 12) that resides within the dockingstation or option. The software then redirects the interrupt GPIO to bean output. This signal is connected to a clock input of a shift register105 in the docking station or option. The software then pulses thisoutput to the docking station or option and causes the shift register toshift out the data that has been stored in that register. The shiftregister output is connected to the most significant ID bit going to themobile client system (across the line 101 in FIG. 12). The input bit isexamined after each pulse. After seven bits have been shifted in (thefirst bit in the 8 bit shift register is the "O" used to identify thedevice as having a shift register), the software returns a seven bitidentifier to the system. If, after the interrupt is received thesoftware reads a "I" in the most significant ID bit, then the softwareknows that no shift register is present and interrogates the additionaltwo identifier bits (across lines 102 and 103). These can take on threevalues which can stand for three types of docking stations or optionsthat do not have shift registers. The value "II" for these two bitsmeans that nothing is attached and the software should register thatnothing is attached and remove any un-needed device drivers.

The following describes the bit patterns that are used by the threedocking connector identifier bits:

    ______________________________________                                                  ID bit 0   ID bit 1                                                                              ID bit 2                                         ______________________________________                                        Nothing attached                                                                          1            1       1                                            Option with shift                                                                         0            X       X                                            register attached                                                             Option with 1            X       X                                            pullups attached                                                              ______________________________________                                    

From the table it can be seen that when a docking unit or option withpullups is attached there can only be three valid identifiers(00,01,10).

To perform option identification, the initial conditions are that theinterrupt line is set as input with interrupt and the three ID bits setto inputs. Then the steps performed are:

1. Get Interrupt;

2. Interrogate ID bit 0;

3. If a "1" interrogate ID bits 1 and 2, If a 0 go to step 6 below.

4. If ID bits 1 and 2 are both "1", then the unit or option wasdetached--perform housekeeping;

5. If ID bits are some other value, then report back the appropriateunit being installed;

6. Set interrupt to output;

7. Pulse interrupt output to read next ID bit;

8. Repeat for all serial ID bits;

9. Set ID bits 1 and 2 to outputs for later control usage; and

10. Report back the appropriate docking unit or Option attached andexit.

By this sequence, the system distinguishes among the absence of a dockedoption; the presence of a "simple" docked option lacking a shiftregister and its identity; and the presence of a "complex" docked optionhaving a shift register and its identity.

In the drawings and specifications there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are used, thedescription thus given uses terminology in a generic and descriptivesense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile client computer comprising:a housingsized to be held and manipulated by the hand of a user; memory mountedwithin said housing and storing digital data; a central processing unitmounted within said housing and coupled to said memory; an input/outputcontroller mounted within said housing and coupled to said centralprocessing unit; a plurality of input/output ports coupled to saidinput/output controller, each of said plurality of ports defining ageneral purpose input/output interface; and a display mounted in saidhousing and coupled to said central processing unit and said memory anddisplaying information derived from digital data processed by saidcentral processing unit; said ports and said input/output controller andsaid central processing unit cooperating in (1) detecting the presenceof an optional radio transceiver device if connected to said ports and(2) querying such radio transceiver device using said ports for anencoded identification in one of alternative data formats, wherein saidone of alternative data formats is a fixed bit pattern presented at theports and the other is a bit sequence downloaded over the ports from astorage, and (3) determining from any response returned the identity andcharacteristics of the radio transceiver device.
 2. A computer accordingto claim 1 wherein a bit state at one port indicates the type of dataformat a device will present.
 3. A computer according to claim 2 whereinthe bit sequences have more bits than the bit patterns.